Sammy Hagar is set to kick off a Las Vegas residency in April, and going forward residencies and one-off shows might be the only way to see the Red Rocker.
In a new interview, the 77-year-old Hagar revealed that he doesn’t want to tour anymore, and has even told his manager to not book any extended outings. However, it appears Hagar would do more residencies if he enjoys playing in Vegas.
“I don’t think I want to go on tour anymore,” he told the Miami Herald. “I hate to say that, because I don’t want to piss my fans off. I’ll go out and do a one-off show and do things like that, but the residency is going to give me a good extension of my career. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
He added, “I keep telling my manager, ‘Don’t take any tours, let me do this residency.’ If I like it enough, I’ll do another one. And if that’s successful I’ll do another one, and I can squeeze a few more years out of my career.”
For Hagar, it comes down to the difficulties of travel at his age — these remarks coming after he commended Steven Tyler of Aerosmith for retiring due to health reasons last year.
“With [the residency], I don’t have to travel, I don’t have to unpack and pack and get on an airplane every day,” Hagar told the Miami Herald. “You know, at my age, it hurts my shoulders to do all this. And I have to perform. I’m a performer, at the end of the day.”
If Hagar is true to his word, then last year’s “Best of All Worlds Tour” would be his final outing. The trek saw the Red Rocker performing hits from Van Halen’s catalog as well as his own solo career and prior bands (Montrose, Chickenfoot, etc.) alongside an all-star lineup featuring Michael Anthony on bass, Joe Satriani on guitar, and drummer Jason Bonham, who was eventually replaced by Kenny Aronoff.
That lineup (with Aronoff on drums) will again be backing Hagar on the upcoming Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM. Specific dates include April 30th, May 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 16th, and 17th. Get tickets here.